Smart Aviation, the leaders in global sports charters, are consistently involved in world-renowned rugby competitions and international matches throughout the year. November 2024 has been no exception, with Smart playing a pivotal role in the Autumn Internationals, a series of test matches between 14 top national teams, played at their iconic stadiums. The series takes place each November, during the traditional Test window.
Over the past five weeks, the following national teams participated in the series; England, New Zealand, Scotland, Fiji, Ireland, Australia, Italy, Argentina, France, Japan, Wales, South Africa, Georgia and Portugal.
Smart’s sport charter division was heavily involved in the tournament, managing a schedule of eight separate charters to fly four of the competing national rugby teams.
For many of the charters, B737-800s were sourced due to their ability to successfully accommodate the teams’ extensive cargo requirements. Two of the charters had particularly hefty cargo requirements including 4.5 tonnes of rugby equipment and 15 sets of golf clubs.
Limited slots at certain airports were also a challenge for some of these charters. The team used their long-standing relationships with key suppliers to secure cost-effective solutions and confirm the desired slots.
Clive Head, Smart’s senior sports charter broker, said: “It’s always a busy few weeks during the Autumn Internationals series and we are delighted to have been working with the national teams again on their charters to the tournament. We’re excited to be heading into 2025 with a comprehensive schedule of Six Nations charters already in place between January and March.”
About Smart:
Smart Aviation was founded in 2005 by Managing Director Mark Hawkins, an established sports charter specialist with over 30 years’ experience in senior operational roles within the travel and aviation industry, including managing sports charters at Excel Airways. Over the last 19 years, Mark has led Smart Aviation to become the leaders in global sports chartering. Mark is still very active in sports chartering, frequently providing air travel for global sports teams to key sporting fixtures including Champions League and Premier League football matches, as well as to ice-hockey, boxing, basketball, golf, motorsport and cricket tournaments.
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